Tenant’s Attorney Removed Hallway Cameras

March 22, 2016

LVT Number: #26780

Tenant’s attorney spotted five pinholes in the ceiling molding across the hallway from tenant’s apartment and discovered small cameras behind the pinholes that were pointed at tenant’s apartment door. The attorney removed the cameras and argued that landlord was harassing tenant. Although the attorney informed police and turned the cameras over to the Attorney General’s office, he was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, later reduced to petit larceny. The attorney asked the court to dismiss the case. The court ruled against the attorney.

Tenant’s attorney spotted five pinholes in the ceiling molding across the hallway from tenant’s apartment and discovered small cameras behind the pinholes that were pointed at tenant’s apartment door. The attorney removed the cameras and argued that landlord was harassing tenant. Although the attorney informed police and turned the cameras over to the Attorney General’s office, he was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, later reduced to petit larceny. The attorney asked the court to dismiss the case. The court ruled against the attorney. A history of good works wasn’t sufficient to justify dismissal of the case, even though the financial value of the cameras was in dispute and the attorney claimed that his actions were in the interest of justice.

 

 

People v. Schwartz: Index No. 044144/2015, NYLJ No. 1202748565511 (Crim. Ct. NY; 1/26/16; Cesare, J)

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